[ricktdotorg]

my wife's parents live in Sangenjaya (Setagaya), i've had an eye on apartment rentals in that area for about 5 years, with a view to a perhaps/potential move over there. the prices (yen-usd translated) honestly look like ballpark NYC (Manhattan, not BK or Q etc) apartments from when i lived there 1997-2004. the prices are cheaper than NYC/SF/SEA/LA, but of course as you point out, the salaries are lower. i've not "lived" those expenses month-over-month as a local would do, but my gut feeling after several months "living" there [spread over a few years] in a local apartment is that food/eating costs are lower, but overall, other costs (perhaps not including than commuter travel) are higher. somehow, i think it balances out.

edit for clarity